Millage back on the table in Allen Park

Millage would pay for a failed studio project

Remember the Unity Studios deal in Highland Park? The man with the plan was Jimmy Lifton, a Hollywood producer who got city leaders to invest million in buying a developing a building next to City Hall for the studio project.

But the movie deals fell to pieces and so have the city’s finances.

The city is facing a $1.6 million deficit. City leaders are asking police and fire for a 10 percent salary cut. Twelve positions have been eliminated and more could come.

Now, city leaders are asking for a 4-mill assessment to help get the city out of the red. The millage would raise enough annually to cover the cost of the failed Unity Studio project. To put things inperspective, one mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of a house’s taxable value. Mayor William Matakas recommended that the millage expire after four years.

The News-Herald reports the City of Allen Park currently expects to pay more than $2.7 million in debt service on the studio land. This comes after voters rejected a 3.3-mill assessment to cover debt on the studio land back in November.

The ballot language could be sent to the Wayne County Clerk’s Office as early as Tuesday.